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OpenFlow

The HP 3500 Switch Series consists of Layer 2/3/4 switches that offer the most advanced intelligent edge capability in both chassis (6-slot and 12-slot) and stackable (24-port and 48-port) form factors.

The HP 5400 Switch series consists of Layer 2/3/4 switches which support integrated advanced capabilities in chassis (6-slot and 12-slot) form factor and offer maximum flexibility, life time warranty and lowered TCO.

The foundation of an open, standards-based software-defined networking (SDN) is the OpenFlow protocol. OpenFlow development started in 2007 and has been a collaboration between the academic and commercial worlds. Originally led by Stanford University and the University of California at Berkeley, the standard now is being defined by the Open Networking Foundation (ONF). HP has been a leader in OpenFlow technology since its inception and is a founding member of the ONF.

HP Networking was instrumental in the development of OpenFlow technology from its earliest days and is a leader in OpenFlow capable switches and complete SDN solution including SDN controller and applications. For instance:

HP and Stanford began collaborating on Ethane—the predecessor to OpenFlow—in 2007.

HP OpenFlow technology have been the leading choice for researchers worldwide since 2008.

HP was the first vendor one to make the commercially available software available on switches.

HP OpenFlow and SDN Leadership Milestones

“OpenFlow allows direct access to and manipulation of the forwarding plane of network devices such as switches and routers, both physical and virtual (hypervisor-based).” — Open Networking Foundation

OpenFlow opens up networking devices for simplified programming via a standard interface. This ease of programming allows for a robust control layer that can be built to centralize the intelligence in the network and provide the programmability that is the promise of SDN.

Software-Defined Networking Architecture

OpenFlow plays a key role in the SDN architecture. Acting as the interface between the control and infrastructure layers, OpenFlow implements the forwarding rules that enable SDN.

HP offers OpenFlow-enabled products within its portfolio and builds on the success of the FlexNetwork Architecture:

HP is the first tier-one networking vendor with commercially available OpenFlow software.

OpenFlow is fully supported by HP and is enterprise ready.

HP supports OpenFlow on 25 switch models.

HP leads the industry with real customer deployments across a variety of envionments.

Over 15 million installed ports are OpenFlow capable.

HP is committed to deliver OpenFlow across its FlexNetwork portfolio.

HP offers a free upgrade to HP's OpenFlow-enabled software.

Switches

8200 zl Switch Series
The HP 8200 Switch Series is a high performance, full-featured, highly available modular switch that offers reduced complexity as part of a Unified Wired and Wireless Network infrastructure solution.

5400 zl Switch Series Updated
The HP 5400 Switch series consists of Layer 2/3/4 switches which support integrated advanced capabilities in chassis (6-slot and 12-slot) form factor and offer maximum flexibility, life time warranty and lowered TCO.